LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: The Lahore deputy commissioner has extended the detention of fashion designer Khadija Shah for an additional 30 days under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance. This decision, aiming to uphold “law and order in the provincial capital,” was revealed recently.
DC Rafia Haider issued the directive following an anti-terrorism court’s grant of post-arrest bail to Shah in the fourth and latest case related to the May 9 riots. The decision to detain Shah was made on November 15.
Shah’s legal entanglement originates from her arrest during the nationwide turmoil on May 9, triggered by the apprehension of PTI Chairman Imran Khan. The resulting protests turned violent, involving assaults on military and state facilities.
On the same day, Shah shared videos on her social media, depicting her participation in the PTI protest outside the Jinnah House, the Lahore corps commander’s residence.
Subsequently, numerous protesters were apprehended, and Shah faced multiple charges for her alleged involvement in vandalism and attacks on security installations.
Shah voluntarily surrendered to the police on May 23 following her association with the May 9 riots, resulting in her arrest on the same day. She is embroiled in four cases linked to the events of May 9, obtaining bail in all cases, including the most recent one granted on November 15.
After Shah’s bail on Wednesday, the “District Intelligence Committee” convened on the same day, addressing the matter extensively, as mentioned in the Lahore DC’s order available with Dawn.com.
The order indicated that the committee members “supported the evidence/material provided by the police department and unanimously recommended the issuance of her detention order to maintain law and order in the city.”
As per the order, the SP Cantt Division Lahore and district intelligence branch proposed Shah’s detention under Section 3 of MPO for 30 days.
Section 3 of MPO empowers the government to arrest and detain suspected individuals to prevent actions detrimental to public safety or the maintenance of public order.
The government can extend the detention period, not exceeding six months at a time, if deemed necessary.
The DC further stated, “I am convinced that the presence of Ms. Khadija Shah in any public place will pose a serious threat to public safety and could lead to a breach of public peace and order.”
Consequently, he instructed authorities to detain Shah, assigning her custody to the superintendent of Central Jail, Kot Lakhpat, Lahore.
